Nettle Tea

Nettle Tea uses the stinging nettle leaves but without the sting! It has a herbaceous flavour with minty undertones. But why should you choose to drink a Tea made from such an infamous plant? After all, at one point or another, we have all experienced the uncomfortable pain of brushing up against a stinging nettle.

As it turns out, when combined with a healthy and active lifestyle, Nettle Tea can improve daily life in small yet significant ways. How? Nettle Tea benefits.

According to the latest research, it contains a wealth of vitamins, minerals and other antioxidants. This includes (but is not limited to) calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and selenium. Furthermore, it has Vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), C, D, E and K. Indeed, every sip of this delightful brew is a cocktail of health potential!

Nettle Tea Facts

• Did you know that archaeological evidence suggests that humans have used nettles for at least 4,000 years?
• Did you know that its most common historical use was for the making of rope and cloth?
• Did you know that indigenous Americans drank Nettle Tea for improved digestion? And that the Greek physician Hippocrates recognised 61 other Nettle Tea benefits?
• Did you know that, according to Norse mythology, throwing nettles into a fire prevents your home from getting destroyed during a thunderstorm?

About the Nettle Plant

The nettle is a perennial, flowering plant belonging to the Urticaceae family. There are an estimated 80 species within this family, which in turn belong to three primary genera. We specifically use Urtica dioica (common nettle) for the making of this particular Herbal Tea.

The name "Nettle" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "Noedl", which means "needle". This likely came from the 'needle-like' pain of the plant's sting. The name "Urtica dioica", meanwhile, is twofold: "Urtica" derives from the Latin word for "sting". "Dioica", on the other hand, means "two houses", which refers to how male and female flowers grow on separate nettle plants.

These flowers bloom between July and September. The plant itself consists of a hairy, single stalk with deeply serrated leaves of dark green on top and of pale green on the underside. It grows to heights of up to 1.2 metres (4 feet). The size of the leaves averages at 15 centimetres (approx 6 inches). Underground, the plant has a yellow rhizome found very near the surface of the soil.

But most famous is its sting. The plant has hollow hairs stiffened by silica with a swollen base that contains three chemicals. These are histamine, acetylcholine and serotonin. The tip of the chemical-filled hairs is very brittle. When brushed against, they break off, exposing a sharp point that penetrates the skin.

But, of course, you don't have to worry about this at all when it comes to our delicious Nettle Leaf Tea. We boil the leaves, which gets rid of the sting while maintaining its divine taste and health benefits.

Brewing Information

Type of Tea: Herbal Tea.

Origin: Hungary.

Brewing Instructions: Brew using freshly boiled water. Infuse for 5 to 10 minutes.

How to Serve: Consider adding lemon or even mint. However, we recommend serving this Tea without any accompaniments.

Tasting Notes: Enjoy a sublime herbaceous taste with minty hints.

Colour in Cup: Green liquor, light in tone.

Health Benefits of Nettle Tea 

A German study established that an extract of nettle leaves, known as hox alpha, can suppress several cytokines in inflammatory joint diseases. This includes arthritis. Furthermore, a 2013 study published in Phytomedicine found that stinging nettles, including the root, can reduce inflammation.

When it comes to skin health, the anti-inflammatory properties of this Tea can reduce acne, eczema and skin blemishes. Additionally, Nettle Leaf Tea has anti-microbial, antiulcer and analgesic properties. It can aid with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) while relieving constipation, diarrhoea and other stomach-related issues.

Why not read this article which goes into much more detail about Nettle Tea Benefits.